iChatting with God.

I have been separated from my family since May 4th.  My son has been with me in Lynchburg for the past week. My oldest daughter is spending the summer in ATL. My wife and younger daughter arrive in town in just a few hours. The life lessons I’ve been reminded of during their absence:

• Although I am an introvert, I don’t do well by myself. “It is not good for the man to be alone…”
• Without my family around, I don’t eat right and my schedule is haphazard.
• Video iChat is the greatest invention of the 21st century. I feel like I have been able to stay connected by seeing and talking with my family.
• We miss our friends and family who have gone on to the next life with Jesus. We can’t communicate with them right now, but look forward to the day we’ll be reunited [1 corinthians 15]
• We feel the same longing to be in the presence of God. Like iChat, we can communicate with Him through prayer, fellowship, study, worship, nature… But something is missing. We can’t yet reach through that screen and touch God. That longing is the love that connects the pilgrim with the Creator King.

Peter and Paul expressed the yearning like this:

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. [1 peter 1]

12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. [1 corinthians 13]

Soon, hopefully, we will log off our virtual online communication with God, and talk face to face in eternal reality.